New offset smoker build by newbie - basic design Qs plus ...

[Ramblin2Day]

Option B has cooked more brisket and other things than one can imagine……it offers for very efficient air flow (ie including almost instant response to temp changes if you want). It has a nice mix of radiant heat with convection. Having a water pan just inside will temper the radiant when desired, but you have it when you want it…… let’s just say I’m a simplistic cooker

Just know your tank is just not that big to have huge issues one way or another, but adding restrictions into the system make it more temperamental…….the basic design is just a chimney of coals and the feed it 3 inch splits and needed…….

Another food for thought…… as a variation to “B” if you drop the FB lower and have a “stack” or chimney (rectangular) the same area the would be FB to CC opening so that the FB is lower, ie it will operate similar to the pipe design above but it will flow way better and turn it into a true convection cooker, but you loose the radiant…….its all personal preference in cooking……

Is this what you mean by dropping the firebox lower and adding a stack?

 

[civilsmoker]

Yes this will flow better than the pipe in the center and have the similar design thought. I would also suggest rather than just holes you had a "scope" to direct a convection airflow to under the CG, I would also add a double layer of say 1/8 steel with 1/4 inch deflector for about 8-10 inches. This deflector could also a removal tuning plate to make it easier to clean and such

This design will make for top and bottom CG convection air currents. IE the water pan could also site on top of the tuning/deflector plate as well, you shorten your cooking grate a few inches.

This fully integrates your water pan and tempers the radiant heat. The water pan could be welded in or a custom drop in.

I would draw this all out to see if you can get a two level CG as well. I believe with this set up you could get that second level to double you cooking space if you wanted.

These are just my thoughts.......

 

[civilsmoker]

Oh and a final thought....I would suggest making 3 slots for CG, ie the top and bottom like above and then a middle to lower, it so you can have a drip pan under say a prime rib, chuck, or even a brisket..... with the "item" just above than and then you have plenty of room above....

The above with a 3 slot CG option would make a very nice little smoker........ I might just have to make one......LOL